The Portland daily press., 1887-03-10
The Monument Question SIN Open.

To the Editor Of the Press:
The result Of the vote, on accepting the act
to condemn Market Square and building, ap-
pears to settle that the Monument Assoeia-
tion can place its monument there il It
chooses so TO do. Does 1t so choose? In the
light thrown upon the essential and diverse
features Of this matter before election; In
the average character and unequal elements
making up the ''yes" and mo" votes, patent
to any one who stood at the polls; In the ex-
preston everywhere used by Eyes" citizens
that they didn't care, where the monument
went, but they wanted Old City Hall to go,
anyhow; in the use Of arguments at the
polls by yes distributors, Of which these
are samples: eyes Is the vote for laboring
men" "No man win vote No II he Is a
friend TO the soldier; In the surprising
change Of public sentiment since last spring,
shown by the result Of the ballots; and In
view Of the astonishing individual pledges
amounting to nearly $4,000 by prominent
citizens for the monument II placed else
where, can our executive committee as rea-
sonable citizens reconcile their temperate
and deliberate judgment In favor Of insisting
upon this location without the certain and
definite approval at least Of majority Of
the stockholders Of our association? This
committee derived their power to act for the
association legally enough. without doubt,
but at meetings Of the association where
only small per cent. OF the stock was repre-
sented. Nor would II be possible 10 get out
a full expression at public hall. as the at
tendance OF ladies and children, who are
largely owners Of stock, could scarcely be
expected. How the majority Of the stock
would actually vote on the location, has
never been settled. The ives" and ssno''
vote in no wise settled that, and no dedue-
tOns can be drawn from that result indica-
tive OF tho vote of about GOOO shares of stock
OF the association which make up its voting
power Ii was stated before election In the
public prints that majority of the stock
holders were opposed to this site. Why not
have II now actually determined before
going farther? l offer the following sugges-
tlons as tending to harmOnlze public opinion:
l. An actual indication Of the wishes Of
the stockholders Of record March 7th, OBJ
tanned by handing in 10 the Secretary Of the
Association the stockholders name, number
Of shares and choice Of location In writing;
the amount received through fairs, donations
of societies, etc, not TO be taken or voted.
2. Instead OF voting on the stock as il
stood March 7th, the books Of the assOcia-
tion could be kept open for period closing
on specific day and hour. without any pre-
vious canvass Of votes, and after such closing
obtain the choice Of stockholders In above
manner In given time thereafter. In this
way a strong induceinent for liberal sub
scriptions, by favorites Of the different sites,
would be found, and whatever the result Of
the vote, material aid TO the monument
would be given. Should this show a major
ity for Market Square, no doubt all parties
would cheerfully aequiesee; should Market
Square not receive a majority. let the build
ing stand, and in the course Of a few years.
when our rate Of taxes Is down 10 about
$1.75, the question Of making a public open
square Of that lot could be submitted with
out prejudice. G. Wv.